Lions buck fighting Maroons

By Joey Villar, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning NCAA champion San Beda shut down upset-conscious University of the Philippines in the final five minutes and a half to score a 73-63 victory and extend its amazing streak to four in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

After diminutive Mike Gamboa's basket gave the Maroons a 63-62 lead with 5:27 to go, the Lions regrouped and held the Maroons scoreless the rest of the way while firing an 11-0 run to escape with their fourth straight win and keep the solo lead in Group A.

Nigerian Ola Adeogun, who will play this NCAA season after completing eligibility requirements, had a game-high 15 points and 14 rebounds he spiked with two assists, two steals and a block while Baser Amer had 15 points, four assists and three caroms to help seal it.

The Lions appeared headed to blowing the Maroons away after leading by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, 19-7 and 22-10, but the Maroons methodically came back with a tall lineup.

The Maroons took their first loss in this tournament presented by Bostik Phils., Inc in cooperation with Total Phils. Corp and major sponsors Vulcaseal, Kia Motors, BDO, Bayo, Nature’s Spring, Molten and Oxycan.

National U overcame a sluggish start as it turned back Arellano U, 76-64, to continue to lead Group B with a third straight victory.

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. came through with with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Cameroonian Emmanuel Mbe did everything else with nine points and a game-high 15 boards.

Kiefer Ravena struggled all game and finished with only six points, but scored the biggest basket of the night to tow Ateneo past University of Santo Tomas, 65-63, in the third game.

With barely three seconds remaining, Ravena delivered the winning basket 15 feet from the basket over the outstretched arms of UST’s Aljon Mariano to hand the Blue Eagles their third win in four starts. The Growling Tigers slid to 1-2.

"Kiefer is a winner, and it's winning time so why not give the ball to him," said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, who's filling in the shoes for head coach Norman Black, who is back in the country but chose to allow his assistant to mentor the team one last time.

The Chiefs, now mentored by multi-titled coach Koy Banal, however, looked good with some new additions in Fil-Canadians Adam Serjue and James Forrester and returnee Ice Ciriacruz.

Serjue and Forrester combined for 22 points and nine caroms while Ciriacruz, who sat out the whole of last season due to injury, scattered nine points but the Chiefs didn’t have enough firepower to keep up with the Bulldogs to fall to their first setback against a win.